Sturmhaubitze Braunbär

In 1947 a decision was made to upgrade the Heer’s existing inventory of Sturmgeschütz III infantry support vehicles by replacement of the short-barreled 7.5cm KwK 40 with the 10.5cm Sturmhaubitze 46, a derivative of the well-tested 10.5cm leFH 18. The decision was based upon the need for vehicle capable of delivering both direct and indirect fire, which would supplant the towed 7.5cm and 15cm infantry guns still serving in the Heer’s infantry formations. The StuH46 was also capable of firing projectiles of the new
“Quetschkopf” type, which offered greater power for attacking static defence positions and fortified bunkers.

The work of upgrading existing vehicles was assigned to several factories and Heer depots under the oversight of Mühlenbau und Industrie AG of Braunschweig.

My memory about the past debates was that a minor country tried to steal the idea before even the originating powers developed it, and without ever putting in any sort of development effort. Just pushing the button and getting a magic new toy.

As for the vehicle... "I didn't choose the StuG life, the StuG life chose me." ;) (It's a knockoff of an internet meme, for those who don't get it.)